FORTY-plus jobs could be lost in East Lancashire after a plastics packaging firm announced closure plans for two factories.

Mondi has confirmed it wants to shut their site on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, with the loss of 41 posts.

Another larger site at Deeside Industrial Park in Flintshire would also shut, with 167 positions under threat.

The company says it will be withdrawing from its UK operations in favour of other other facilities across Europe. The firm has sites in more than 40 other continental locations.

Peter Hughes, a Unite regional secretary, said: "This is a betrayal of a loyal workforce, who only two years ago rescued (Mondi) from administration.

"Unite expects answers from Mondi and a full explanation as to how they have come to this disgraceful decision.

"We will be subjecting Mondi to rigorous scrutiny and doing everything within our power to reverse this announcement."

A Mondi spokesman said a 45-day consultation exercise is now underway.

He added: "Mondi sees no alternative than to start a consultation process on the potential closure.

"Employees will be given support during the consultation and implementation of the ultimately agreed proposal, and Mondi will follow all legal procedures in accordance with UK labour law.

"Mondi remains fully committed to flexible plastics packaging and will continue to serve its UK customers from its wide network of production facilities across Europe."

Changes in demand for "niche products" have been blamed for the decision by Mondi, whose chief executive Peter Oswald will step down on March 31.